The Ultimate Fighter: US vs UK - Episode Three Recap

CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED – There are two spots left on Team US for this season of The Ultimate Fighter, but before Jason Dent, Kiel Reid, Frank Lester, and Rob Browning take care of their business in the Octagon, all the fighters got themselves settled in their new digs in Las Vegas.

CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED – There are two spots left on Team US for this season of The Ultimate Fighter, but before Jason Dent, Kiel Reid, Frank Lester, and Rob Browning take care of their business in the Octagon, all the fighters got themselves settled in their new digs in Las Vegas.

Team US arrived in the house first, with Team UK following soon after. Both teams got along well and got used to each other’s accents, with the only exception being Browning, who quickly got under the skin of both teams as he threw eggs at them while they stood on the house’s basketball court.

After some more egg throwing and drinking, Browning got into it verbally with members of Team UK and even Team US’ Jason Pierce, who Browning smashed an egg on. Pierce kept his cool, not wanting to get ousted from the show.

These incidents prompted the rest of the competitors to come up with a set of ground rules for the house that would prevent a repeat of the antics seen on season eight of the series. Another key point of the conversation was encouraging Dent to send Browning packing in their elimination fight.

The next day, both teams got to the gym for their first workouts with their coaches. Team US’ Dan Henderson told his squad that they would be focusing a lot on wrestling, clinch work, and ground and pound, while Team UK’s Michael Bisping jumped right into sparring with his group. Bisping promised that his team would be “in shape, on weight, and ready to go,” and his trash talk to Dent and Damarques Johnson got both fighters and their teammates fired up.

In this week’s first elimination bout, 8-1 Iowan Kiel Reid took on 3-2 San Diego product Frank Lester, and the ending was one of the most bizarre ever seen on TUF, as a slam by Reid saw him knock himself out upon impact on the canvas. Referee Steve Mazzagatti, noticing that Reid was out, halted the bout, giving Lester the first round TKO win and a spot in the house.

Dent (19-9) didn’t leave any doubt in his bout with the 4-0 Browning, gradually warming up before taking over and stopping the Kentucky native via strikes in the first round.

Now with both teams set, UFC President Dana White brought both Team US and Team UK together, and after Henderson won the opening toss, the US squad will pick next week’s first fight. Bisping says his entire team is ready for battle.

Finally, here are the 16 fighters that have earned a spot in the Ultimate Fighter house for this season:

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor cross the pond to England. Aldo cheers on his countrymen to victory in a soccer game, and the two face off once more at a tension-filled press conference. Tickets for UFC 189 are now on sale at UFCFIGHTWEEK.com.

31/03/2015

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor take over chilly Toronto. As Aldo’s patience for McGregor’s trash talk wears thin, Dana White is forced to play peacemaker on set, on stage and behind the scenes. Tickets for UFC 189 are now on sale at UFCFIGHTWEEK.com.

30/03/2015

Jose Aldo channels Tony Montana while his opponent Conor McGregor channels Muhammad Ali on a busy day in New York City. Aldo trains with his coaches while McGregor schools UFC President Dana White in jiu-jitsu.

28/03/2015

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor share the stage yet again at The Strand Theatre. Buoyed by the Boston fans, Ireland’s McGregor wields more insults and taunts at the featherweight champion. Tickets for UFC 189 are on sale Friday, March 27.